Right now I can not agree that it is guaranteed for life. Mfromphilly1 thought his medical bennifits where "guaranteed for life" but it would seem that has changed. However I do agree that if you do 15 then go ahead and do the extra 5. Just make sure you have more than just military retirement. Put money away in a roth 401k or something like it. Something that is after taxes so you dont have to worry about tax increases after you retire.

Besides pay differences and base privileges (to include the commissary and exchanges), please tell me the differences between a 15 yr retirement and a 20 yr retirement?

Maybe I don't understand the 15 year retirement. When I was in there was no retirement at 15 years. From what I understand of it we are talking about 15% of your base pay in difference. Plus the difference in your base pay from making rank in those 5 years ... or even more. The only way I could see 15 year retirement being a good thing is if you are in a job that is in high demand in the civilian world and can get a high paying job with retirement from the civilian world and have 2 retirements in the end. Even then if you have one of those jobs the military usually gives you a nice reenlistment bonus. I cant tell you what other difference there is but to me that is enough.

I may not be correct but I seem to remember a 15 year retirement gave you a pension but at a reduced rate. But yeah, I don't count on my retirement being there....the asshats in DC will take that away soon. I've been telling all the young people I know considering a career in the military to think again, the gov't will change the rules midway through the game and leave you with nothing. I'm the biggest hinderance to recruiting in Mesquite now Most of the kids in the JROTC at the HS are now looking at college or trade schools.

I've never enjoyed killing, but sometimes it has to be done. Do the job and move on.